Casa Italiana Language School
Literature and Culture
Casa Italiana offers also classes to enrich the knowledge of the Italian culture and literature.
Each semester there is a new, fascinating course! From Italian movie classics to literary classics, to the study of characters that have made Italy what it is today, Casa Italiana's teachers will show you another side of the "Bel Paese".
LA REGINA SENZA TRONO
by Ornella Albanese
ANTHOLOGY OF ITALIAN CINEMA
VOCI DI AUTORI ITALIANI
The novel takes place in the historic time that ended the ancient world. It concerns the fascinating character of Amalasunta (born 495 AD) the only child of the Ostrogoth King Teodorico. Although she was strong and well educated, when she was seated on the throne she did not rule. It was her husband who was chosen for her who actually reigned.
Students will discuss the book and present research proposed by the instructor in class.
Tuition: $395 (12 weeks)
Tue. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM;
Instructor: Marisa Darvish ONLINE
Starts: Sept. 17 – Dec. 03
Selections from movies will provide mature students with a rich overview of Italian history and society. Discussions and role play will serve as a pretext for improving conversation skills and fluency, while analyzing the cultural and social aspects of the Italian lifestyle. Grammar and syntax will be reviewed, as necessary, during class discussion.
Movies: the course will be devoted to the following movies: "Tre Piani" by Nanni Moretti, "Il Vangelo Secondo Matteo" by Pier Paolo Pasolini, "Il Capitale Umano" by Paolo Virzi
Tuition: $230 (12 weeks)
Mon. 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Instructor: Ingrid Nifosi ONLINE
Starts: Jan. 6 – April 6
In this advanced course, students will discover some of the most important Italian authors of the second half of the Nineteenth century and contemporary writers. They will read excerpts of some famous books and articles of renowned journalists, always supported by short biographies of the authors. Students will work on new vocabulary, discuss various themes and topics, examine different writing styles and language structures. They will also listen to some interviews with the authors. Some grammar topics will also be reviewed upon request.
Tuition: $395 (book not included) 12 weeks
The learning material will be provided by the course’s instructor.
Thurs. 6:00 – 8:00 PM;
Instructor: Federica Petracci ONLINE
Starts: Jan.09 – March 27
LTALIAN CLASSICS – SHORT STORIES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
A course focused on reading some of Italy’s most beloved, classic literature, from Italo Calvino to Alberto Moravia, Natalia Ginzburg and others. Students will read short stories or excerpts in class and discuss them in groups. They’ll read additional stories on their own for homework and write a short synopsis (or do reading comprehension exercises). Before diving into each story, the teacher will provide an introduction of the author, and background on their literary style and relevance to Italian literature.
Tuition: $230 (6 weeks)
Fri. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM;
Instructor: TBD. ONLINE
Starts: Jan. 24 - March 28
BOOK REVIEWS- JHUMPA LAHIRI'S "ROMAN STORIES" & LORENZA PIERI'S "LESSER ISLAND"
This advanced course focuses on reading (in class and at home) one or two books of fiction, like "Racconti Romani” (“Roman Stories”) by Jhumpa Lahiri – an acclaimed British-American author who has lived in Rome for years and now writes in Italian – and "Isole Minori" (“Lesser Islands”) by Lorenza Pieri, an emerging, award-winning Italian author. Students will read and discuss key chapters and passages in class, focusing on idiomatic, literary and poetic expressions, and write a glossary of the most difficult words. The course involves writing a final book review, and a possible interview with Pieri, on Zoom, in which each student will have to prepare and ask questions (pending availability).
Tuition: $230 (6 weeks)
Wed. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM;
Instructor: TBD. ONLINE
Starts: Jan. 22 - March 26
WINEMAKING COURSE
Interested in learning the art of winemaking? This course is for you.
Italian wines come in many different styles and are constantly evolving, making them an exciting combination of old-world tradition and modern innovations in grape growing and winemaking. The study of both traditional and modern techniques of Italian wine making will take you through four major geographical zones within Italy to not only explore the history of viticulture and winemaking in each of Italy’s major areas, but also analyze the unique regional geographic features that impact their wines. Winemaking is an important part of Italian culture, and this knowledge will help you craft the wines you wish to make from varieties of grapes available in America. We’ll help you prepare for your personal journey as a winemaker through all the artful steps of the winemaker from crushing and pressing grapes to fermentation and aging of wine.
Your instructor is William Meaux. With both an Italian mother and French father, he comes from families with rich wine heritage. He owns a private label winery in Nokesville, Virginia and owns a small farm and winery in Italy in his family ancestral village of Bugnara (AQ) Abruzzo. He has been making wine for 36 years.
Tuition: $250 (8 weeks)
Starts: Sept. 22 – Nov. 10
Course book: Techniques in Home Winemaking; Author Daniel Pambianchi - Véhicule Press